Episode 19
If it's the other way round...
you'll kill me if I've framed Zi Jian.
Even if you spare me, Yang Xiu and Ding Yi will kill me.
But, no matter how Zi Jian treats me...
I won't kill him.
Since the moment I entered the prison...
I handed my life to my own father...
because I knew that my father will be fair.
Good. Very good.
You dare to negotiate with me now.
That's more like my son.
Good! Very good.
Let me think. What are your other weaknesses?
I can't let you threaten me so easily.
Good!
My lord, Sima Yi got drunk in Cui Yen's cell.
Bring Sima Yi over.
Neither a marquis nor a king.
Guards, wake him up with cold water.
Yes! -No.
He said it well.
"Neither a marquis nor a king."
Forget it. Don't wake him up. I'll wait.
Bring me some wine. -Yes.
You may all retire.
Sir, the medicine has been ready for some time.
Go back. I don't want to drink the medicine.
If you still don't drink it, it'll get cold.
Sir.
Young Master Zi Jian is a simple and kind person.
You know that he won't do something like that.
Why did Cui Yan accuse him of that?
Is Zi Jian always the good guy to you?
What about me? What kind of person am I?
To me...
you are equally kind.
Zi Huan, please do not blame it on him.
He is your brother after all.
You can't let him die.
You know that treason is a capital offense.
The truth will prevail...
and the guilty one will get into deep trouble.
But, this has nothing to do with us.
You're awake. -I deserve death.
Greetings, my lord.
If you want to drink...
why don't you go to Zi Huan's celebration?
I'm aware that I'm unforgivable.
Of course there is nothing to celebrate.
You're still so sound after drinking so much.
Come. Drink on.
I dare not.
There's no one else here anyway.
You don't have to pretend in front of me. Drink.
Did you take pan in...
Cui Yan and Xun Yu's plan?
L...
dare not lie to you.
The day before Mr. Xun Yu's death...
I visited Mr. Cui and criticised him.
But, Minister Cui's words...
enlightened me.
Minister Cui used his own life...
to help Wei.
You still address him as "Minister Wei" today.
To you...
is he a villain or a loyal official?
In my opinion...
Xun Yu and Cui Yan...
corrected you...
and admonished you...
for the sake of Wei...
"the world...
and your ambition.
Both of them are extremely loyal officials.
Extremely loyal officials.
They corrected me.
Do loyal officials force their king to kill his own son?
My lord, please calm down.
My lord, I'm sure you understand that...
Young Master Zi Jian...
will not be executed. It's just that...
It's just that he cannot be my successor.
I did not say that. I dare not.
You are considered an educated and knowledgeable man.
In history...
how many younger sons...
who failed in the competition for heirship...
end up doing well?
So, don't bother brushing me off with those words.
My lord, I'm also a father of two sons.
I understand how much it upsets you...
to sacrifice the future of your favourite son...
for the sake of the country.
If a man has the power you possess...
of course he can change the world for himself...
like Emperor Huan, Emperor Ling...
Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu.
But, you are different.
You can change yourself for the world.
My lord, you are a true hero.
Young Master Zi Huan has the same great ambition.
For this ambition, he can restrain and change himself.
So, Young Master Zi Huan...
will not give Young Master Zi Jian a hard time.
Why am I not like Emperor Huan and Emperor Ling...
or Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao?
My lord, you once said this about Yuan Shao.
"Hard-boiled outside but coward in head."
"He is fond of scheming yet indecisive."
"He is ambitious yet shod-sighted."
My lord, you are different from Yuan Shao.
What makes you think that...
Zi Huan will surely become my successor?
I dare not. I did not say that.
But, you are right about one thing.
For the world...
I change myself.
Of course I hope that...
of Zi Huan and Zi Jian...
one of them can...
change himself for the sake of the world...
and become stronger than me...
in order to overcome internal threats...
and external enemies.
Zi Jian is...
As for Zi Huan...
can you do it for him?
Young Master Zi Huan...
took after your courage and wisdom.
Even if I don't exist...
Young Master Zi Huan will not disappoint you.
Why are you so eloquent?
What a pity.
I wish Xun Yu could be...
as easygoing as you.
I am sinful. I am at your disposal.
At my disposal?
Your master said...
he will handle his own officials.
I'll tell you something. In the future, Zi Huan...
will become a man harsher than me.
Pray for yourself.
The king sent all aides of the Marquis of Pingyuan to jail.
Why do you think he did this? This is meant for you to see.
If all aides of the Marquis of Pingyuan...
are punished, your brother will be punished too.
Yang Xiu is using your brother to threaten you.
You said that your brother will be safe...
if we can save Cao Pi.
But now, even though Cao Pi has been released...
your brother is still confined inside.
Father.
I will save Brother Lang. -How?
Will the king listen to you and free him?
Father, you're right.
The king...
did it to threaten me.
He is forcing me...
to beg General Cao Pi. - General Cao Pi? Why?
General Cao Pi has gained the upper hand.
The king can no longer pressure him.
Yet, the king doesn't want to give up on Cao Zhi.
So, he's using Brother Lang's life to...
force me to beg General Cao Pi to give in.
If General Cao Pi spares the Marquis of Pingyuan...
the king...
will free Brother Lang. -Give in?
If General Cao Pi gives in...
he might lose the position of the heir he secured.
He went through so much to come this far.
Why would he give in for our brother?
I know General Cao Pi's character.
If you anger him, you will lose your life as well.
By then, I'll lose another son.
Father.
This is the only option.
Even if I have to kneel until my knees break...
I must persist.
Brother Yi. -Zhong Da, it's late night.
It's not a good time. It's already bed time.
Master, it's good to go at late night.
How is it good? -I'm sure Young Master Yi...
can save Young Master Lang this time.
Why? -Think about it.
There are many people walking around in the day.
If he goes at night, Young Master Yi can simply...
waste his time.
If General Cao Pi wants to sleep, he must agree.
Go and cook your medicine. - It's ready. Do you want it now?
I know what you want to say.
But, I don't want to listen. Go back.
I want to save my brother's life.
Please be understanding.
Get up.
Sir, please be merciful.
Please spare Young Master Zi Jian and Yang Xiu.
This is the only way to make the king...
free my brother.
How do I save him?
Tell me. How do I save him?
If I keep quiet now...
my father will punish Zi Jian and Yang Xiu.
I will naturally become the crown prince. Am I right?
Yes. -Alright.
Mr. Xun and Mr. Cui used their lives to support me.
They sacrificed their own lives.
You told me not to fail the two of them.
Right?
Yes. -How do you expect me to let go?
I know that as a subject...
I should put my family problems...
at the back of my mind for my master.
But, this matter concerns my brother's life.
Please be understanding.
What if I'm not understanding?
I'd like to...
swap places with my brother.
Sima Yi.
What do you take the Court of Judicial Review for?
You think you can do as you wish?
I'm just one step away from the position of the crown prince.
Yet, you came to threaten me like this.
You'd better not be too conceited.
General Cao Pi.
I am truly loyal to you.
I know very well that...
you went through a lot of hardships...
in order to secure the position of the crown prince.
But, my obligation to protect my family...
cannot be compromised as well.
I remember that when we were both in the prison...
you told me that...
in the past, when Young Master Cao Ang...
put you on the horseback...
he could only say "run" before he was shot to death.
Sir.
At that time, you told me in tears that...
you wish to switch places with your brother.
My feeling is the same.
Please do me the favour.
Get out!
Brother Yi.
Sir, it's time to drink your medicine.
Sir, I saw Brother Yi.
He's kneeling outside. I'm worried about...
What are you worried about?
I didn't ask him to kneel. What can I do?
Don't tell me you think I should save Sima Lang too.
I heard of this saying.
"Treat me with respect and I shall repay you with respect."
I don't know if we can turn it around and say...
"repay with respect when treated with respect".
I almost forgot. You are from Sima Family too.
I have nothing to say if this is what you believe.
Get up.
Do you want to force me too?
I know your difficulties.
I'm not drinking this.
Sir.
Brother Yi.
What are you doing here?
Father said we must save Brother Lang...
at all cost.
Alright.
I am Sima Fu. General Cao Pi...
please allow me to join your office.
I'm willing to be your aide and subordinate.
Two sons of Sima Family will share their fate with you.
Sir, please believe that Sima Family will assist you...
at the stake of all our lives.
We only ask of you to save Brother Lang.
Just like Wu Zi Xu who was at Zhao Pass...
your hair turned white overnight.
Yes. In this world, there is a kind of feeling...
called "white-headed men who are like new friends".
Even though I am used to the indifference of this world...
I don't want the two of us to be the same.
It's true that I want to kill Yang Xiu now.
I can't wait to become the crown prince.
But, I'm too tired. I've no energy to...
fight with Zi Jian and my father for one more round.
I thought about it one whole night.
Even if I become the crown prince...
if I disobey my father and lose your assistance...
how long can I remain in this position?
I don't know.
I have a bold statement to make.
I am a few years older than you.
But, each time I look at you...
you feel like my father or elder brother.
From today onwards, me and my brother's lives...
are yours.
Get up.
Brother Yi, stand up.
You're frozen. Go in and warm yourself up.
Come. Let's go in.
Greetings, father. Greetings, mother.
Zi Huan, the weather is so cold. Why did you come out?
Are your injuries healing?
Rest assured, mother. They are just minor injuries.
What brought you over so early in the morning?
Father, I spent the whole night thinking about it.
I find Cui Yan's testimony suspicious.
Zi Jian is so kind and Yang Xiu is so clever.
They won't frame me using such despicable trick.
So, in my opinion...
Cui Yan most probably acted on his own because...
he was desperate to make Zi Jian the crown prince.
Perhaps, Zi Jian and Yang Xiu were completely unaware of it.
For this reason, I came to plead with father.
You mean, you believe that Zi Jian and Yang Xiu are innocent?
Precisely.
I won't allow the vile to sow discord between...
family members.
If the Court of Judicial Review confirms that...
Zi Jian and Yang Xiu have nothing to do with it...
please release them quickly...
to assure everyone else in the court
Zi Huan, our family is fortunate to have...
a person as forgiving as you.
Mother, this is my responsibility.
Your suggestion...
has been received.
I will pass the message to Zhong Yao.
Go back.
Keep your home warm.
Your injuries will not hurt if you are warm.
Thank you, father.
Ah Man, you should get some more rest.
Brother Lang.
This wine...
cannot be shared.
I have to...
keep it to myself.
Congratulations on returning safely. I knew...
you would surely win.
What did you say? Congratulations on winning.
You may retire.
I won?
Shu Da. -Brother Yi.
Why are you starting to cook too?
Brother Lang suffered in the prison.
I want to prepare something delicious for him.
Shu Da, if you stay home...
to read and study, you'll lead a carefree life.
Are you sure you want to become an official?
"He who excels in study may become an official."
I can't be a freeloader forever.
Besides, General Cao Pi accepted me.
Isn't this an enviable thing?
Shu Da, Brother Lang just came out of the prison.
Officialdom is a dangerous path.
It is a career that will change you.
I wanted to leave a good and innocent man for the family.
"Two men left in a small boat, into the waves, far from sight."
I want to be in the same boat. I trust that the person you...
and Ah Zhao chose will not be dishonourable.
Besides...
if the two of you get into trouble...
will I be able to live on as a good and innocent man?
I don't seek to contribute greatly.
I only wish to help you, Brother Lang and this family...
at times of crises.
That's all I hope for.
The pot.
Look. "One must be prepared for danger in times of safety."
You're so clumsy.
Can you be an official? Can you adapt to the situations?
You're lecturing him again. -Brother Lang.
Brother Lang. -Sit here, Brother Lang.
You broke so many things in the kitchen back then.
Father even chased and beat him. -Right.
Brother Lang, I think...
Brother Fu shouldn't become an official.
Shu Da, to be an official, you must first learn how to act.
If Brother Lang did not cry so sadly back then...
in front of Dong Zhuo, would we survive to this day?
Can you cry instantly?
Crying requires genuine emotions. Can you cry instantly then?
Brother Lang can only cry...
when the safety of his family is at stake.
But, my eyes can rain tears...
before my enemies just for my personal interest.
Look.
Look at his eyes. Can he be an official?
Zhong Da, it's not a bad idea for Brother Fu...
to join us in officialdom.
If war comes one day...
we can fight together side by side.
I will be the leader. The enemy will surely surrender.
Brother Lang is right. A united family is unbeatable.
Come.
We shall stand before our enemy...
side by side with our heads held high.
The enemy attacks and we all fall down.
You will shed streams of tears.
You will burst into a flood of tears.
- No way. - He's just making fun of me.
- Brother Lang. - Enough jokes.
Try this soup I cooked.
It looks decent.
- Is it delicious? - You forgot to add salt.
I did add salt.
Let me try it.
- It's too salty. - Too salty?
Brother Lang, did your meals in the prison change your taste bud?
- It's still plain. - No way.
Let me try.
Brother Lang!
- Young Master Lang! - Brother Lang!
Brother Lang!
Mr. Physician, is he alright?
Gentleman, let's talk in private.
Father, please stay.
He is my son. Why do you want to hide from me? Say it here.
I dare not hide it from you all.
This gentleman has high fever, shortness of breath...
and blood stasis at the side of his neck.
He should be suffering from the epidemic.
There's an epidemic in the city. Many people are infected.
Even Mr. Chen Lin and Mr. Wang Can succumbed to it.
- Father. - This is a fierce epidemic.
You all should be mentally prepared.
I shall excuse myself.
Mr. Physician.
- Father! - Stop Ming De!
- Ming De, don't go over. - Bo Da.
Brother Fu, stop father. -Alright.
- Master. - It's all my fault.
I shouldn't let you get involved in...
the competition for the position of the crown prince.
It's all my fault.
- It's all my fault! - Father, please calm down.
This isn't the end yet. We've physicians and medicines.
Father, you need to get an imperial physician.
- Hou Ji. -Yes.
Buy some mugwort quickly and fumigate the whole house.
Wash all clothes and dining utensils in boiling water.
Brother Fu, tell everyone not to enter this room again.
But, who will take care of my father?
I Will. -Brother Yi, I'll do it. I'm fit.
Enough. Don't fight over it.
I'm old and I'm not afraid of death.
Just leave. I'll stay.
- Father. - You all must not fall sick.
Father, listen to me.
Brother Fu knows that I shared a bowl of soup...
with Brother Lang this noon. I need to be quarantined as well.
- Hou Ji. -Yes.
Leave food for me and Brother Lang outside. I will collect it myself.
Zhong Da, what if...
you get infected too? - Right.
I'll leave it all to fate. Maybe we'll both get lucky.
Tell Shi Er and Zhao Er not to come to this room.
Take good care of Ming De. Her mother died young.
We must not let the kids worry.
- Zhong Da. - Father, this is the best way.
Father, Brother Yi is right.